| Author | Message | ||
     Old_man |
Court, I agree whole-heartedly, I love my Buell motorcycle. I have a friend who is looking to buy a motorcycle, he checked out my Buell, he loves it. My son is getting his MC license, getting a bike. I would love to recommend Buells to both of them. But it seems to me that the dealers here don't have their hearts into the Buells. I wish it was different. I can always hope they'll get better. I'm hoping. Jack | ||
| Marhaba |
You know, it's always sad when I read a post like this. I fell in love with Buells when I was still in high school, and now get to sell them. (how sweet of a deal is that?) When I first saw them, I just saw a pretty bike, but now when I look at them, I see a ton of engineering, craftsmanship, and a lot of genius ideas that went into them. Hearing about how Harley dealerships constantly diss Buells is just discouraging. Although, I have to admit, it happens far more often than it should. Before I got there in January, no one except one of the parts guys (Tim) knew anything about Buells, and when I first went into the dealership, as a customer not an employee, I was told to buy a V-Rod or a sporty (standard answers) because no one knew anything about Buells. Tim taught me about Buells and told me about this site. I started learning, and haven't really stopped. I don't post very often, but I read almost everything on the boards after work. So, I have to say kudos to everybody on BadWeB. You've helped spark at least one Buell salesperson's passion for this amazing motorcycle. The problem seems to be that most harley salesmen are like most harley riders. Old, grizzled biker dudes with tatoos. They don't have any interest in Buells because they don't ride them. They usually ride the Ultra classics and Road Glides and Street Glides, thus that's what they can give a convincing sales pitch on since they've got a lot of personal experience with them. I'm hoping that Buell owners don't give up hope on their bikes just because of some lousy dealerships or lousy salesmen. There are people out there that really do respect and love the bikes, it's just a little challenging sometimes to find them. | ||
| Cochise |
Also remember, Appleton didn't sell many Buells until Dave got there and look at him now. It only takes one Buell guy to sell them. | ||
| Snakedriver |
It seems to me a new bike owner that its apples and oranges. Who goes window shopping at H-D for a sport bike? I was attracted to the marquee because of the looks of the tubers. Then bought an XB. At first I thought that it was way cool having a H-D powered bike. I compared it to the the Ford Shelby "marriage". But its really not like that. Ford supported Shelby and vise versa...On the outside as well as on the inside. I dont see that at my dealership, oh wait they took the sign down. I didnt see this at the other dealership I had to go to. Over all if Buell isnt hooked up with H-D What might the end result be? | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
If it weren't for HD, when my dad bought his Harley...i was young and was like...yeah i want a crotch rocket and how convenient that Harley makes one..i said"one day i'll have me one of those"...that was three years ago, i was 13..now 17 i do have one.... (Message edited by buellfirebolt31 on July 29, 2006) | ||
| Curtyd |
My dad had his HD patch on his "Wichita Jeeps" Club shirt in 1939, now nearly 70 years later and 20 years of japanese bikes for me, it's come full circle with my HD powered Buells, and it was the ride that sold me, nothing else. First with a 1999 M2 and now my XB. The M2 was primitive compared to the XB, but I still put somewhere near 40K on it. Never know for sure because I tired of replacing the speedo sensors. (Message edited by CURTYD on July 29, 2006) | ||
| Altima02 |
So Nissan would be purchasing Buell?? | ||
| Smokescreen |
H-D owns 51% of BMC. Would you let your investment walk out on you??? I understand everyone disliking H-D time to time, but remember, "THEY" are the ones you should be thanking. After all they did invest in Erik's idea. Smokescreen | ||
| Henrik |
Jim; Damnut; That bike I believe is a Velo Solex. Cheap, and a moped from before mopeds became big sellers in Europe. We used to pick them up for cheap and "hop them up" by pulling the head and "decking" it by sanding the gasket surface on a garden paver. We also peeled the 5-layer foil head gasket down to 2 o3 layers to bump up compression. Of course the power transfer via a rubber covered roller on the bottom of the motor directly to the front tire leaves something to be desired and put a limit on how fast we'd go  The pedals are there to help getting the bike up to speed, and the handle on the left side of the motor is the "clutch". Pulling the handle lifts the roller off the front tire. Doesn't get much simpler than that. As we at the time weren't old enough to ride mopeds, much of our riding was in construction lots, unused land etc. Frame didn't hold up well to that kind of abuse. Tons of fun though. Ahh, the memories  Henrik | ||
| Buellshyter |
"Court will be dumping his Buell stock, including shares he bought from Erik Buell" Well, that explains a lot | ||
| Eexb |
Why do we "entertain" threads like this ??? Between "STUPID" hypothetical scenarios and seriously over discussed "reliability" threads, we must have more interesting/important issues to discuss ??? EE | ||
| Pisymbol |
The issue as I SEE it is one of technology. There is a certain odd dichotomy in the Buell-HD relantionship. On one hand, Buell benefits from HD's tremendous dealer network and brand. On the other hand, the engine platform Buell has to work with is very limiting. Let's be honest, an air-cooled V-Twin isn't exactly the ideal platform for overall performance. I'm not sure what Buell can do other than wait for the VRSC program to mature and eventually spread to the other HD families, i.e. liquid-cooled. I've always thought that within in a decade, most of the HD bikes will be liquid cooled in order to keep competitive. Again, Buell is on HD's time table with respect to engine technology and this will be more and more problematic as the HD-Buell marriage progresses. | ||
| Fenderacoustic |
I also posted this on "to the factory" but I'll post it here too since it's an active conversation. But, I wonder how Buells are sold in Europe where they seem to be more popular? Maybe Harley's are sold out of the back of Buell dealerships! | ||
| Hans |
Henrik, Damnut, Solex is an classic motovelo. Look at this French site: http://aulnay.solex.passion.free.fr/all.htm (Click on Museé on the black bar, Click on "salle principale" or "salle annexe"and keep clicking on the arrow right of the picture.) When we moved in this little village, there were Solex races in 4 classes: From stock to special.  The specials going up to 60 MPH. Hans | ||
| Rocketman |
Court, that is EXACTLY how Saab's role will play out within the GM empire. Are you sure that is not what you were describing, rather than the Buell \ HD relationship, lol? Rocket | ||
| Court |
Well....here's hoping. As you know, we've had 3 Saab convertibles over the past 5 years. Went to get a 2006 and the quality had obviously been sucked right out of them. We ended up going with the Mercedes-Benz CLK which went in to have a steering box repalced at 500 miles. I laugh. The same day we bought Vickie the new Mercedes, I bought a 2006 Ford F-150. The Ford (not surprising after topping the J.D. Powers list for 27 years) is bullet proof. Built, quite noticalby, much less substantially than my old one, but good enough to be the only full sized pickup to get a 5-Star raing from the insurance instiute for frontal and side crash tests. Funny stuff vehicles.....any wonder I've turned to guitars. James Olson is my new hero. | ||
| Curtyd |
http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/CrashTestingMINICooperVsFordF150 I have to show you this from my MINI site, hate to burst your bubble about the F-150. It is kind of an eye-opener. It's how I was able to justify a baby seat in the MINI, although it doesn't take into account a rear crash. Oh well, my daughter will probably be following in the family footsteps soon enough with two wheels under her and there is not much safe about that. | ||
| Buellshyter |
That test was for the pre-2004 F-150. It's been redesigned since then. | ||
| Curtyd |
Good, I was real surprised to see those photos. | ||
| Court |
The new F-150, which I like but see as a real compromise vehicle (i.e. kinda a car, kinda a truck) is a clean sheet design. It's got all sorts of one off stuff like special acoustic insulation and stuff. The thing that appealed to me the most is that I can haul two bikes, put all my kit in the cab and have a very comfy platform. I kept the last one for 161,000, this one already has a Cayman eyeballing it's spot in the drive in 2 years. | ||
| Buellshyter |
Being a construction worker must pay real well in NYC | ||
| Court |
It's okay. . . but check out some of the $3,000/mo 1 bedroom apartments! Hey, I paid my dues working outta Local #53 in Kansas City at $3.33 per hour at Northeast Power Plant, LaCynge and the Calaway Nuke Plant.  | ||
| Diablobrian |
I could almost throw a rock and hit the Callaway Nuclear Power plant from here. Cost of living is MUCH lower than So-Cal, or NYC. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
For those of you that didn't follow the link, here it is again: http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html I got it from the MINI vs F-150 article posted above. It is long, but a really good read. I think I can verbalize now why I love riding motorcycles, and why I hate driving trucks, SUV's, or even large cars. The closeness to the road, the intimacy with my surroundings make me feel safer, more alert, and also more able to enjoy the trip. The extra nimbleness of the bike allows me more confidence that I will be able to avoid obstacles should they present themselves. That confidence can be a bit short sighted at times, but all in all I think this article hit the nail on the head. Give it a read, I am sure you will enjoy it. | ||
| Anonymouss |
Damnut >>>something needs to be done about the dealerships though. Court There's work to be done but I am convinced few here, most being new Buell owners, have an appreciation for how far Buell has struggled to come. If you coulda seen what Buell was going through, say ever 8 or 10 years ago..... People who are new to Buell and go to a dealer,(and some who aren't new),DONT CARE where Buell was 8-10 years ago.(I care) They just want to check out a product that up to this point, has caught and kept their attention. They NEED knowledgeable, enthusiastic people to immerse them in the Buell experience and put to rest any reliability/inferiority rumors they may have heard. The products are great.(Always room for improvement) The dealer network needs lots of attention, and fast. Not sometime in the next 7 years. Coincidentally... actually un-related Court Watch carefully what is going to happen over the next 7 years Tbowdre “tell us what you think or know!” That would probably break some confidentiality agreement. More importantly, it would take all the fun out of playing I know something you don’t know. (A BadWeb favorite) (Message edited by anonymouss on July 31, 2006) | ||
| Court |
There is much truth to that. I noted, in the thread where the dealer dropped the fellas bike, that all the participants, looking at their profiles were 1 year into Buell, one owned a 2004. Buell has come a long way. There is a long way to go. The dealer network is now the constraint. I do not know, nor do I want to know anything secret. I know the players and how busy they are. I'm a fart enough smeller to put two and two together. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
 Court, you're just MEAN!!! You and your "NaNaNa boo boo, I know what's coming for the next 7 years, and you don't" :-P But for you guys trying to pry info out of Court... Well, it ain't *EVER* gonna happen. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Might as well try to squeeze it out of Erik. I think I remember Court saying he sometimes has to fend off people trying to tell him things that he does not want to know about what's in the works for Buell's future. Must be hard when you're friends with so many "insiders". Like I said before Court, I get it, You don't want to betray a trust by making an off-hand reference to something that isn't supposed to be public knowledge yet. A secret doesn't remain a secret if more than 2 people know it in most cases. Buell does quite well at playing it close to the vest. So do you Court, when you have to, even if the teasers eat us alive!  | ||
| Anonymouss |
Court I do not know, nor do I want to know anything secret. I know the players and how busy they are. I'm a fart enough smeller to put two and two together. With all due respect. Pardon my skepticism, but between 20+years of flying the Buell flag, evenings at the theater with Erik and Mrs. Buell, motorcycles mysteriously FedEx'ed to your doorstep, stories of prototype bikes with fork stops for only the bravest riders, and the occasional coincidental picture of a bike in front of a (random) restaurant etc..., One would have to have there head jammed pretty far... well you get the idea.. to not hear, see, or know any secrets.. But hey,what better way to be a "fart smeller"? Pardon the run on sentence. | ||
| Tunes |
HD and Buell are connected at the hip. I don't see that changing anytime soon. To be honest, when I go into an HD/Buell dealership, I don't want to be treated like an HD owner... I want to be treated like a Bueller. I've owned many Harley's over the years... I've outgrown them. Buell was and is the answer. When I go into my nearest dealership, I do business with the Buell people. The HD people don't need me, I don't need them. They can't answer (and aren't interested in) my questions anyway so why do I need them to WANT to be interested in Buells? As a dealership, all you need to do is employ people who are interested in selling your products... so you're going to hire people who like HD's and Buells. If you don't have a mix of both types, one suffers. I recently when into the nearest Buell dealer for oil/filter change on the XB and asked if they had a voltage regulator for my '99 S3. (I'm still experiencing electrical gremlins) Surprise! They had one in stock! Gotta giv'em creds for having this part in stock. The best dealership around? No, but certainly not the worst either. Overall I receive pretty decent service from the dealerships in my area/region. Yes, Buell has come a long way and I'm sure they know they have more roads to travel. I like the bikes too much to give up on 'em. Speaking of the HD demographic of "older, slower riders"... which may be the case. This past weekend here in NH, the weather was superb for riding... which I did, both days... and noticed the many groups of HD riders just puttin' along. I remember being one of those riders... until I saw the light, which launched a rocket under my a$$ to Buelling. Now, when I come up on a group like this, I look to pass 'em. They're riding too slow for me now. I need to take the next corner at speed...and I'm not going THAT fast, 50-60. I can easily go faster but that wouldn't be smart. The number of bikes I come up on, sportbikes too, attests to the handling of these bikes. I try to ride smoothly, which translates into quickness. It's a hoot flickin' these bike around the tight, curvy roads around here. ...just had to share that. |
